AI · SaaS
-- Mosta , the AI-native business banking platform for global companies and AI agents, today expanded its SWIFT coverage to 32 currencies through a partnership with BCB Group , a leading provider of regulated payments infrastructure. Alongside major currencies such as USD, EUR and GBP, coverage extends to exotic currencies across the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America, including the UAE dirham, Saudi riyal,
Oct 28 · 14:00·MarketersMEDIA
SaaS
NEW YORK CITY, NY / October 28, 2026 / SMX's technology for giving physical materials a digital identity is the subject of a new article published by TechCrunch , the latest American media profile of the company. Titled "SMX is giving physical materials a digital identity," the TechCrunch article examines SMX's molecular marking technology and Digital Material Passport Platform (DMPP), which connect
Oct 28 · 14:00·ACCESS Newswire
SaaS · Healthcare
Medical Virtual Assistants matches US practices and providers with experienced healthcare support from Latin America, working your US clinic hours. The new online platform MedicalVirtual (medicalvirtual.com) offers HIPAA-trained medical virtual assistants for patient calls, scheduling, intake, insurance administration and
Oct 28 · 14:00·ACCESS Newswire
SaaS · Internet & apps
The Best Social Media Platform for Cosplay Is Jaaspire
Oct 28 · 14:00·Newswire.com
Finance · AI
Oct 28, 2026 NEW YORK, October 28, 2026 – The USTA and IBM (NYSE: IBM ) today announced a five-year renewal of their longstanding and trailblazing partnership that will see IBM serve as the Official AI and Cloud Partner of the US Open through 2031. The renewal comes following the 2026 US Open which saw record engagement for its IBM-powered digital platforms, reaching more than 270 million total engagements across USO
Oct 28 · 14:00·IBM
SaaS · Software & IT
FormFusion and IntelleCheck join Argos as Ellucian Verified for SaaS solutions. HOUSTON, October 28, 2026--Evisions' document automation and payment automation products, FormFusion and IntelleCheck, received Ellucian Verified for SaaS status for all Ellucian SaaS SIS and ERP solutions on September 24,
Oct 28 · 14:00·Business Wire
SaaS · Retail
Enterprises adopt cloud-native platform to unify customer engagement tools, automate service and increase efficiency, ISG Provider Lens ® report says STAMFORD, Conn., October 28, 2026--A growing number of organizations are replacing fragmented customer experience systems with cloud-based environments b
Oct 28 · 14:00·Business Wire
AI · SaaS
- Smart Connectivity, Healthy Living, and LED Display Technology All Lead Industry Development
HONG KONG - October 28, 2026 - The 28th Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition), organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), opens today and runs for 4 days, from 27 October to 30 October, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The 11th Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo opened yesterday and runs until 29 October at AsiaWorld-Expo.
HKTDC Associate Executive Director Silas Chu said: "As the lighting industry is evolving rapidly, the twin lighting fairs this year are held under the theme "Beyond Illumination", highlighting key industry trends related to smart connectivity, healthy living, immersive spatial experiences and sustainability, and showcasing cutting-edge lighting solutions to global buyers. The fairs attract some 3,000 exhibitors from more than 20 countries and regions, alongside international professional organisations and industry experts who share insights into the latest developments. By building an international trade and technology exchange platform, the fairs connect global buyers with industry players and foster the sustainable development of the lighting industry."
He added that the twin lighting fairs are international in scope. Besides exhibitors from Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and Taiwan, the fairs also welcome exhibitors from the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia, India, Korea and Singapore, as well as from Europe and America, including Denmark, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Mexico and the United Kingdom. The fairs gather exhibitors who have participated in landmark projects around the world and won international awards, as well as major industry alliances in global smart lighting and IoT such as the Connectivity Standards Alliance, the DALI Alliance, the SILA-EMN Alliance, the Zhaga Consortium and, making its debut at the fair, KNX, the global standard for smart building and home automation. Together with their member companies from around the globe, these alliances jointly demonstrate the smart lighting ecosystem.
A highlight of the Autumn Lighting Fair, the Hall of Connected Lighting features some 70 leading local and international brands, including Dimon, a local company which has participated in the Hong Kong Palace Museum project, Inventronics and TUYA from the Chinese Mainland, Viso Systems from Denmark, Casambi from Finland, and Signify from the Netherlands. The zone also features immersive lighting installations and application-based displays. For example, Casambi brings an Artisan Cafe concept space to the fair, while Viliya creates an immersive mirrored art installation, Mirrorverse.
Signify collaborates with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team to present a racing simulator experience and also displays Philips Skylight, which simulates natural light environments and adjusts light according to human circadian rhythms by integrating two major health-focused lighting technologies (VitaUp and BioUp) to create a healthier and more comfortable indoor lighting experience.
Another signature zone, the Hall of Aurora, features some 500 renowned brands offering high-quality lighting products. Local exhibitors include Prosperity Lamps & Components whose products have been featured in the FIFA World Cup stadium and the Museum of the Future in Dubai, and Profiled Group which participated in Casa Batlló in Barcelona and the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain. Chinese Mainland brands include General Lighting Electronic which participated in the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy, and Alpha Lighting which participated in the Madame Brasserie restaurant at the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Other international brands include Lival from Finland, Cupower from Germany, and Beghelli from Italy.
The Autumn Lighting Fair always keeps pace with industry trends. This year it expands its product range and launches the new LED Display Solution Zone to build an LED commercial display ecosystem. This zone features the latest high-resolution LED screens, transparent displays, flexible panels and immersive visual systems, creating new visual experiences for retail spaces, event experiences, smart cities and architectural projects. Other featured zones include Commercial Lighting, Residential Lighting and LED Essentials.
This year, the Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo features three major zones, including Smart Pole and Solution; Outdoor, Industrial and Technical Lighting; and Landscape and Architectural Lighting. In addition to displaying lighting product applications in smart cities, industrial and professional scenarios, it has also added photovoltaic and energy storage solutions to help cities improve energy efficiency.
Two fairs showcase new trends in lighting
- Various award-winning exhibitors and design products gather under one roof
Local representatives include first-time exhibitor Ledman Hong Kong (Booth: 5B-D02), which introduces the LEDHUB Smart Conference Solution, integrating large-format display, video conferencing and collaboration functions into a single platform. This solution won the 2025 TITAN Innovation Awards Gold Award and has been adopted by leading institutions including the University of Hong Kong, the University of Warwick and Fudan University. Ledman Hong Kong also presents the QS Series IceScreen LED Display, which was deployed at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games.
Another local exhibitor, Hongkong Sunricher Technology (Booth: 1D-C30), displays their Desktop Wizard. The product won the Red Dot Design Award, the iF Design Award and the German National Design Award. It replaces traditional lighting remote controls that often require complex operations and commands, as well as wall switches limited by fixed installations, to provide a more flexible and space-efficient home control solution.
- Finnish exhibitor Ledil Oy (Booth: GH-P21) showcases their LEDiL - STRADA reflector, the winner of the German Innovation Award 2025. This product offers precise beam control and excellent glare control with a glare rating of G6 and a threshold increment TI as low as 1%. Even when equipped with protective glass, its optical efficiency can reach about 90%, helping to create efficient, energy-saving and visually comfortable lighting solutions.
Chinese Mainland brand Zhongshan SUFN Lighting Technology Co Ltd (Booth: 1A-B24) presents REIZ II, which won the iF Design Award 2024 and Contemporary Good Design Award 2022. This product adopts an innovative convection cooling structure and concealed shift mechanism, improving heat dissipation efficiency by approximately 15%, and increasing light output by around 30%. Its dual anti-glare optical design with UGR≤6 supports a wide range of lighting applications, including downlighting, adjustable accent lighting and wall washing.
- Green energy and energy-saving solutions support sustainable development
According to GEP Research, it is expected that the global photovoltaic lighting market will reach US$18.5 billion in 2026, a year-on-year increase of 14.2% compared to US$16.2 billion in 2025. Outdoor and Tech Lighting Expo exhibitor Lansine Intelligent (Zhongshan) Energy Storage Technology Co Ltd (Booth: 8-F28) brings their LX-LC01 energy storage power station and foldable solar panel series, which are green power solutions specially designed for off-grid applications, outdoor camping, emergency backup power, as well as small-scale and residential energy storage. Auroras InnoTech Guangdong Co Ltd (Booth: 8-D21) showcases their Woodpecker Series & Architectural Pathway Light product which features a unique vertical architectural form, renewable solar energy and warm natural finishes, creating a modern outdoor space that blends with nature. The exhibitor also displays street lighting solutions applied at the Dubai Expo. Hishine Group Ltd (Booth: 8-E27) presents its Hi-Robot 1300W Stadium LED High Mast Light, which features a hexagonal anti-wind structure, a large cooling area, excellent heat dissipation performance and a service life exceeding 100,000 hours. These lights are waterproof, reduce power consumption by 70%, and have been installed in the Jaime Morón León Olympic Stadium in Colombia.
- Smart lighting meets the needs of various scenarios
According to a survey by Fortune Business Insights, the global lighting fixtures market size is projected to grow from US$142.52 billion in 2026 to US$221.39 billion by 2034, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.7% during the forecast period. Public demand for smart lighting systems is rising. Autumn Lighting Fair exhibitor Zhongshan Tauras Technologies Co Ltd (Booth: 1E-G35) displays a three-in-one integrated dimmable power supply designed for home bathroom applications, combining a high-efficiency switching power supply, a mirror defogging film and an intelligent touch dimming system in a single unit. It is suitable for humid and dusty environments and meets users' lighting and visual needs in different scenarios. Yndlux Lighting Co Ltd (Booth: 3B-B05), selected as a national high-tech enterprise, brings its independently developed 5272 linear module light. It can meet the lighting and design needs of different customers and places through an intelligent control system and the diverse selection of module styles.
Multiple exchange and thematic events to discuss market trends
The twin lighting fairs are hosting a series of thematic events with heavyweight international lighting organisations. For the Autumn Lighting Fair today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, "Award-Winning Illumination - Highlights from the IES Illumination Awards", jointly organised with the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) for the first time, invites winners of the prestigious "IES Illumination Awards" to share insights into the artistic and technical evolution of lighting design. On the same day, "Innovative Lighting Design Forum", under the theme "Treasures of Light: Artistic Brilliance Beyond Exhibitions", features three lighting design maestros who have participated in internationally renowned projects to share the latest trends.
For the first time, the Autumn Lighting Fair will partner with Women in Lighting (WIL) to host "Circularity in Lighting Design" tomorrow (28 October), where several prominent female designers in the industry will discuss sustainable lighting design and how the circular economy concepts are being applied.
Another key event "Connected Lighting Forum", co-organised with the Shanghai Pudong Intelligent Lighting Association, will be held on the same day on 28 October. Under the theme of "Healing Light for the Future: Illuminating Emotional Well-being", it will explore the development of intelligent and human-centric lighting technologies for emotional health and share case studies on the use of light to heal the body and mind.
At AsiaWorld-Expo, the Outdoor and Tech Light Expo today is hosting "Smart Tech Integration in Outdoor Lighting", exploring how AI-driven outdoor lighting technology can be applied to today's smart cities.
Running concurrently from 26 to 29 October, the Outdoor and Tech Light Expo and Eco Expo Asia at AsiaWorld-Expo, together with the Autumn Lighting Fair at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), provide a dynamic platform for cross-sector business opportunities. Free shuttle bus services will be provided between the HKCEC and AsiaWorld-Expo from 26 to 29 October.
Under the EXHIBITION+ hybrid model, exhibitors and buyers can also meet online through the Click2Match business matching platform in addition to attending the physical fair. The online fairs run from 19 October to 6 November, facilitating business expansion both online and offline.
Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo
Hong Kong International Lighting Fair
(Autumn Edition)
Date
26 - 29 October 2026 (Mon-Thu)
27- 30 October 2026 (Tue-Fri)
Opening hours
26 October 2026: 10:30 am - 6pm
27 - 28 October 2026: 10am - 6pm
29 October 2026:10am – 5pm
27 - 29 October 2026: 9:30am – 7pm
30 October 2026: 9:30am - 4pm
Venue
AsiaWorld-Expo
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
Media registration
AsiaWorld-Expo East Lobby
Hall 1C Concourse, HKCEC, or at the HKTDC Media Centre (G/F, HKCEC, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai)
Media Centre
Room 108, Hall 8 Side Entrance, AsiaWorld-Expo
HKTDC Media Centre
Website
hkotlexpo.hktdc.com
hklightingfairae.hktdc.com
Photo Download: https://bit.ly/4zVvwDQ
Media enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC's Communications and Public Affairs Department:
Christy Lee
Tel: (852) 2584 4369
Email: christy.wn.lee@hktdc.org
Dawn Yuen
Tel: (852) 2584 4575
Email: dawn.nh.yuen@hktdc.org
Jane Cheung
Tel: (852) 2584 4137
Email: jane.mh.cheung@hktdc.org
The HKTDC's Media Room: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/en
About HKTDC
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. The HKTDC is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in the Chinese Mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.
Oct 28 · 13:56·NewMediaWire
Finance · SaaS
As part of the parliamentary oversight mission focusing on the implementation of Community projects, a delegation of members of the ECOWAS Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources is visiting Lomé from 27 to 29 October 2026.
Led by the Chair of the Committee, the Honourable Mohammed Ali NDUME, the delegation is holding discussions with the Executive Director and staff of the Regional Agency for Agriculture and Food (ARAA) with the aim of gaining a thorough understanding of the Agency and learning about its key achievements on the ground.
A Particular focus will be put on two major initiatives coordinated by RAAF: the ECOWAS STOCKS II project and the West African School Feeding Modernisation Programme (PMAI-AO).
This mission is of particular importance to RAAF as it demonstrates the ECOWAS Parliament’s commitment to supporting agencies and institutions in their efforts to promote the effective, accountable and sustainable management of regional initiatives, with a view to ensuring tangible benefits for the populations of Member States.
“Your mission presents an opportunity for RAAF not only to raise its profile amongst you, as parliamentarians, but also to benefit from your insightful observations in order to improve its practices and enhance its performance in serving the communities.” underscored Mr KONLANI Kanfitin, Executive Director of the Regional Agency for Agriculture and Food (RAAF) at the opening ceremony of the mission.
“Our mission also presents a significant opportunity to strengthen dialogue between the Community’s institutions and the representatives of the peoples of ECOWAS. As parliamentarians, we play a vital role in promoting regional integration, scrutinising the Community’s actions and raising public awareness of the policies and programmes implemented by our Community.” Said Honourable Mohammed Ali NDUME, Chair of the Committee on Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources of the ECOWAS Parliament to assure the Executive Director and Staff of RAAF.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Oct 28 · 13:52·APO Group
SaaS · Healthcare
Managing Psychosocial Risk: How ISO 45003 Fits Into Your Management System
Thu, 10/29/2026 - 10:00
Subheader
By Miranda Togo
Body
Key Takeaways:
Psychosocial risk is no longer only an HR or wellbeing topic. Many regulators and standards bodies now expect it to be managed as an occupational health and safety risk.
In a growing number of countries, managing psychosocial hazards is now a legal requirement, and the requirements differ from country to country.
ISO 45003 is a guidance document, not a certifiable standard. It shows how to manage psychosocial hazards within an ISO 45001 occupational health and safety management system.
The draft revision of ISO 45001:2027 goes further, bringing psychosocial hazards and work-related well-being into the core standard.
The most effective controls change how work is designed and managed. Resilience training alone isn't enough.
Organizational culture and Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) can help put a psychosocial program into practice
Many organizations approach workplace mental health primarily through employee benefits, offering resources such as employee assistance programs, resilience apps, or wellness initiatives. Others may give the issue little to no consideration at all. However, regulators and standards bodies are increasingly recognizing psychosocial risks as occupational health and safety hazards that can arise from how work is designed and managed. These risks belong within an organization's safety management system.
Why Psychosocial Risk Has Moved Onto the EHS Agenda
The numbers have changed the conversation. In April 2026, the International Labour Organization (ILO) estimated that psychosocial risk factors at work account for more than 840,000 deaths a year and economic losses equivalent to approximately 1.37% of global GDP. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that depression and anxiety alone cost about 12 billion working days and US$1 trillion in lost productivity every year. These figures highlight the significant human and economic impacts of psychosocial risks alongside more traditionally recognized workplace injuries and illnesses.
Regulation has followed. Since December 2025, every Australian jurisdiction has had workplace health and safety regulations addressing psychological hazards, and some regulators now expect employers to use the hierarchy of controls rather than rely on training to protect workers. According to Safe Work Australia, the median serious mental-health claim costs about 3.7 times as much as the median across all claims and results in about 4.3 times as much time off work.
In the EU, employers have a general duty under the Framework Directive (89/391/EEC) to assess and manage all workplace risks, including psychosocial ones. Momentum is also building for more specific requirements. In October 2026, the European Parliament called on the Commission to assess the need for additional legislation on psychosocial risks, while EU-OSHA launched its 2026–2028 Healthy Workplaces campaign on mental health at work. In the U.S., NIOSH has called for a national regulatory or consensus standard on work-related psychosocial hazards.
For global organizations, a single voluntary wellbeing program is no longer enough. Obligations differ by country, and the expectation is shifting from "do you offer support?" to "how do you identify, assess, and control the hazard?"
What Is ISO 45003?
ISO 45003, published in 2021, is a guidance standard on managing psychological health and safety at work. It is designed to work within an ISO 45001 occupational health and safety (OH&S) management system. Although it is not independently certifiable, it provides guidance on applying the same risk-based approach used for physical hazards to psychosocial hazards.
ISO 45003 groups psychosocial hazards into three areas:
How work is organized: workload and pace, working hours, job control, role clarity, and how organizational change is managed.
Social factors: relationships, leadership, support, harassment, bullying, and workplace culture.
The work environment, equipment, and hazardous tasks: conditions that add strain, such as isolated work, fatigue, and exposure to traumatic events.
The impact goes beyond wellbeing. ISO 45003 notes that psychosocial hazards can increase exposure to other hazards through human error and time pressure, linking them directly to incident prevention.
Common Psychosocial Hazards in the Workplace
In practice, the most common hazards are familiar ones:
Sustained high workload or unrealistic deadlines
Fatigue from shift patterns, overtime, or long travel
Poorly managed organizational change
Unclear roles or conflicting expectations
Harassment or low-trust relationships
Remote or isolated work with limited support
Each of these hazards stems from how work is designed, resourced, and led. This makes an existing health and safety management system a useful framework for addressing these risks, rather than relying solely on a standalone wellbeing program.
How ISO 45003 Integrates with ISO 45001
If you have an ISO 45001 aligned or based management system, you already have the structure in place. ISO 45003 fits into the existing clauses without creating a parallel program:
Context and leadership (Clauses 4–5): Treat psychosocial risk as an organizational issue, include it in policy commitments, and make leaders visibly accountable.
Planning (Clause 6): Add psychosocial hazards to hazard identification and risk assessment, using the same methods and criteria.
Support and operation (Clauses 7–8): Build manager competence, set up confidential reporting channels, and apply controls through work design.
Performance evaluation and improvement (Clauses 9–10): Use surveys, absence data and incident learning as indicators, and bring them into management review.
The draft revision of ISO 45001, expected in 2027, expands hazard identification to explicitly include psychosocial hazards. It also introduces a definition of work-related well-being and adds new expectations on occupational health, return to work, and a supportive culture. Although the draft may still change, it signals a greater emphasis on psychosocial risk management. Organizations that begin aligning with ISO 45003 now may be better prepared for the revised standard when it is published.
Resilience Training Is the PPE of Psychosocial Risk
Guidance from NIOSH, WHO, and ISO emphasizes that the most effective controls change working conditions rather than relying solely on individual coping skills. Applied to psychosocial risk, the hierarchy of controls may look like this:
Redesign the work: Fix workload, staffing, scheduling and role ambiguity.
Improve how work is organized and led: Use fair processes, plan change properly, and train managers to recognize and respond to strain.
Administrative controls: Awareness training, clear reporting channels and policies.
Individual support: Employee assistance programs, counseling, and resilience training.
Individual support is valuable, but like personal protective equipment (PPE), it is the last line of defense. It doesn't remove the hazard. When resilience training is the main control, employees are being asked to manage the effects of problems that may be rooted in how work is organized.
How HOP and Culture Make It Work
Writing a psychosocial program is the easy part. Putting it into practice depends on culture, leadership buy-in, and implementation strategy. This is where Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) can help, as its core principles align closely with ISO 45003:
Look at the system, not the individual. HOP treats error-likely conditions as a product of how work is set up. The same logic applies to conditions that contribute to workplace stress and strain.
Give workers a voice. ISO 45003 stresses worker participation at every stage. Learning teams are a practical way to understand workload, pressure, and workarounds from the people doing the work.
Learn instead of blame. When people aren't penalized for mistakes or for raising concerns, they are more likely to report issues early. Culture and psychological safety surveys can provide measurable indicators to inform psychosocial risk assessments.
What Organizations Can Do Now
The following foundational steps can help organizations move from offering individual support to systematically managing psychosocial hazards:
Add psychosocial hazards to your existing risk register and assess them with the same criteria you use for physical hazards.
Run a culture or psychosocial survey to set a baseline and track leading indicators.
Equip managers to recognize and respond to strain. According to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace report, employees with poor managers are 60% more likely to report daily stress. With manager engagement also declining, organizations should ensure managers have the skills, time, and clear escalation routes needed to recognize and address psychosocial risks.
Address the sources of strain first. Workload, staffing, scheduling, and role clarity can contribute significantly to psychosocial risk, so start your controls there.
Bring psychosocial factors into incident investigations and management review.
Map your country-specific obligations if you operate internationally and build a global baseline with local addenda.
Bringing Psychosocial Risk Management Together
Most organizations already have some of the pieces in place, such as an ISO 45001 management system (or 45001 aligned), a wellbeing program, or an annual culture survey. What's often missing is the connection between them. ISO 45003 provides a framework for bringing these elements together, while HOP principles and organizational culture help support implementation.
Antea Group helps organizations bring these elements into a single management-system approach by assessing current psychosocial risk, designing controls that fit the way work actually gets done, and building processes that adapt as organizations and their global regulatory obligations change. The goal is to move beyond asking whether support is available to demonstrating how psychosocial hazards are identified, assessed, and controlled.
Need help integrating psychosocial risk into your existing health and safety management system? Contact our team to discuss your organization's current approach and opportunities for improvement.
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Oct 28 · 13:52·3BL Media
SaaS · Healthcare
- World of Spirits Zone Expands as Top 10 Chinese Baijiu Brands Converge in Hong Kong to Accelerate Global Expansion
HONG KONG - October 28, 2026 - The 18th edition of the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), will be held from 5 to 7 November at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. This year's fair is bringing together more than 620 exhibitors from over 25 countries and regions, showcasing wines, spirits, sake, beer, low- and no-alcohol beverages and related products from over 40 places of origin worldwide. Serving as a one-stop sourcing platform for global buyers, the fair further reinforces Hong Kong's position as an international wine and spirits trading hub. The public zone of the fair, Saturday Fiesta, will open to wine enthusiasts aged 18 or above on the final day of the event, offering opportunities to sample and purchase wines and spirits from around the world, as well as participate in a series of engaging thematic activities.
Smilely Lam, Associate Executive Director of the HKTDC, said: "This year's fair features a strong international lineup of exhibitors and an extensive selection of wines and spirits from around the world, fully demonstrating Hong Kong’s position as an international trading hub for the wine and spirits industry and its dual roles of 'bringing in and going global’. With its free-port status, world-class logistics infrastructure, free flow of capital and unique position connecting the Chinese Mainland with global markets, Hong Kong has long served as a strategic base for wine and spirits businesses looking to expand across Asia. The Hong Kong SAR Government has also been actively supporting the development of the wine and spirits trade, injecting fresh momentum into the sector while generating opportunities for related industries, including logistics, retail, warehousing, catering, tourism and investment."
Ms Lam added: "Benefiting from the recent reduction in liquor duty and growing market demand, the World of Spirits zone has been further expanded this year, reflecting evolving interest in premium spirits and a broader spectrum of alcoholic beverages. Through the fair, we aim to foster international exchange and business collaboration across the industry, helping companies capture emerging opportunities and expand into new markets. The fair also highlights Hong Kong's role as a 'super connector' and 'super value-adder' between the mainland and the rest of the world, supporting the high-quality development of the wine and spirits industry."
World of Spirits returns with expanded line-up featuring world's eight major spirits
The World of Spirits zone returns this year with spirit exhibitors from 16 countries and regions, including first-time participation from Mexico, Portugal, Slovakia and the United Kingdom. The zone showcases the world's eight major spirit categories, including baijiu, whisky, vodka, rum, tequila, brandy (including cognac), gin and soju, enabling buyers to discover premium spirits from around the world in one place while exploring the distinctive flavours and heritage behind different spirit-producing regions. Highlights include:
King Barley Single Malt Whisky from Moravia, Czechia (Booth: 3E-A16), produced at the TÄ›šitice Distillery with a heritage dating back to 1973. Crafted using locally sourced ingredients and traditional distillation methods, the whisky reflects the unique terroir of one of Central Europe's most fertile agricultural regions.
Legenda Cherry Spiced Rum (Booth: 3E-B13) from Slovakia, bringing together the rich character of Caribbean rum with vibrant fruit and warming spices, creating a smooth and delicious balance of sweetness, spice and cherry flavour.
Top 10 Chinese Baijiu Brands gather to accelerate international expansion
Among the wide range of spirits on offer, baijiu stands out as one of the fair's strongest categories in 2026. The “Top 10 Chinese Baijiu Brands” will converge at this year's fair, including renowned names such as Kweichow Moutai and Yanghe. Leveraging Hong Kong's unique position as an international wine and spirits trading hub, participating baijiu producers are using the fair as a platform to develop markets overseas and accelerate baijiu's global expansion, rejuvenation and diversification. A new interactive installation combining culture and technology will make its debut at this year's fair, showcasing the traditional craftsmanship behind Chinese baijiu and the rich knowledge contained in the classic text Jiudian, while offering visitors a deeper appreciation of baijiu's history and cultural heritage. The fair will also feature a series of baijiu-themed events, including a seminar, "Chinese Baijiu Go Global", where industry experts and brand representatives will discuss the opportunities and challenges arising from overseas expansion. The programme aims to help mainland brands connect with international buyers and explore new business opportunities worldwide.
Among the exhibitors, Xiantan Distillery (Booth: 3D-A02), a multiple gold medal winner at the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) with its Tanjiu collection, has been actively pursuing a younger consumer base in recent years. The company has introduced a 39% ABV version and 100ml mini-bottle packaging, making sauce-flavoured baijiu more accessible to younger consumers. With Southeast Asia and Europe identified as key target markets, the company hopes to connect with more international trade buyers through the fair and further expand its global footprint.
Emerging wine regions take centre stage with Chinese wines growing in recognition
On the wine front, this year's fair brings together exhibitors from a wide range of wine-producing countries and regions. For the first time, pavilions from Georgia and Italy's Calabria wine region will participate, offering buyers an opportunity to discover distinctive wines that reflect the character and heritage of their origins. Meanwhile, as Chinese wines continue to attract growing attention in the market, exhibitors from major Chinese wine-producing regions, including Xinjiang, Ningxia and Xizang, will showcase their products to international buyers, demonstrating the diversity, quality and growing potential of the mainland’s wine industry.
Among the highlights are Pazhu Rigang 3675 red wine from Xizang (Booth: 3D-A22), produced in one of the world's highest-altitude wine-growing regions, and Sundyard Private Collection Five-Star Dry Red Wine from Xinjiang (Booth: 3D-C02), reflecting the unique terroir and winemaking expertise of China's leading wine-producing region. Other featured wines include:
Pinot Noir Ben's Reserve 2020 from Czechia (Booth: 3E-A16). Matured for 18 months in premium French oak barrels following open-top fermentation, the wine offers aromas of sweet cherry preserve and ripe stone fruits, complemented by a smooth palate and an elegant finish.
Concept Feteasca Neagra 2022 from Romania (Booth: 3E-C10), crafted from the country's signature indigenous red grape variety. Full-bodied and well-structured, it delivers a balanced expression of fruit and depth, making it an excellent companion to red meats and a variety of cuisines.
Local brands showcase creativity as low- and no-alcohol drinks gain momentum
The fair also enjoys strong support from home-grown Hong Kong brands, highlighting the creativity and craftsmanship of the local wine and spirits sector. Many local producers have successfully blended traditional production techniques with distinctive Hong Kong elements and innovative ideas. For example:
Quadran Gin Salty Lime London Dry Gin (Booth: 3C-D28), inspired by the beloved Hong Kong drink "Salted Lemon 7-Up" and created by two former bankers who studied distillation in the United Kingdom, the gin showcases a distinctive flavour profile that blends Hong Kong's culinary heritage with contemporary craft distilling.
CATNIP tea gin – YUAN YANG (Booth: 3C-E27), inspired by Hong Kong's iconic tea café beverage that combines coffee and tea, reinterpreted through the art of gin-making.
As health-conscious drinks consumption continues to gain traction, low- and no-alcohol beverages are becoming increasingly popular among consumers. This year's fair will feature a range of related products such as Neon Tiger Real Fruit Soda (Booth: 3C-C16), made with real fruit juice and natural carbonation. Containing around 50% less sugar than conventional soft drinks, it offers a refreshing alternative for consumers seeking healthier beverage options.
Over 40 events spotlight industry trends and cocktail culture
More than 40 events will be held throughout the fair, covering a diverse range of industry topics and tasting experiences. Renowned wine experts, including Masters of Wine Debra Meiburg, Bill Liu and Jennifer Docherty, will host masterclasses exploring global wine market trends and sharing professional tasting insights. The highly anticipated “Sommeliers' Picks” will also return. Master Sommelier Derek Li, together with award-winning sommeliers Carlito Chiu and Anty Fung, will conduct blind tastings of selected exhibiting wines and spirits to create their recommended lists for industry professionals and consumers. Selected products will be identified with special labels throughout the fair, while the results will be announced on the opening day.
This year's fair will place a stronger emphasis on cocktail culture, introducing a series of cocktail-themed events and parties. One of the highlights will be a sharing session hosted by actress and wine commentator Bernice Liu, joined by representatives from some of Asia's leading bars, including Bar Leone, COA, Penicillin, The Opposites and The Savory Project. Among them, Hong Kong’s Bar Leone was named No. 1 on the World's 50 Best Bars list in both 2025 and 2026, becoming the first Asian bar to achieve the top ranking. Through a more engaging and interactive format, the fair aims to bring the increasingly popular cocktail culture closer to both trade visitors and consumers. Additional cocktail-themed events include Geonbae from Korea, organised by KOTRA Hong Kong (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency); and the Hong Kong International Mixology Showdown 2026 – Semi Final for the Hong Kong region and the Final of the China GBA region.
Public day offers multiple delights for local drinks lovers
On the final day of the fair, 7 November (Saturday), the designated public zone Saturday Fiesta will open to visitors aged 18 or above. Admission for Saturday Fiesta is priced at HK$220 per ticket. From now until 6pm on 6 November, public can enjoy a special ticket offer at HK$128 through designated ticketing platforms*. Visitors purchasing promotional tickets will receive a complimentary Lucaris Crystal Wine Glass (while stocks last). They can also sample and buy a range of wines and spirits, while enjoying wine tasting experiences through several activities including the FIGARO AFTER HOURS Canton cocktail music party. Pre-registration for public-day activities is available through the fair website.
*Promotional ticket offer details
From now until 6pm on 6 November, public-day tickets are available at the promotional price of HK$128 through HK01, KKday, KLOOK, Trip.com, Trans-Island Chinalink, Wai Shing Wine Int’l Co Ltd and WineNow.
Photo download: https://bit.ly/47JhmJP
Website
Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkwinefair/en
Media enquiries:
For enquiries, please contact:
HKTDC Communication and Public Affairs Department:
Katy Wong
Tel: (852) 2584 4524
Email: katy.ky.wong@hktdc.org
Serena Cheung
Tel: (852) 2584 4272
Email: serena.hm.cheung@hktdc.org
About HKTDC
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. The HKTDC is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in the Chinese Mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.
Oct 28 · 13:47·NewMediaWire